pkstpaul

Too many members appear to apply a doctrine of infalibility to our Mormon leaders. I'm sure our leaders will be the first to tell you how imperfect they are. They don't share their mistakes, just as they tell us not to share when we teach in church. Joseph Smith was no different. I see a lot of what he did as "blunders". Heavenly Father didn't tell him what to do at all times and in all things any more than he does you and I. He chose JS as an instrument to accomplish the things he did accomplish, but he didn't remove JS's free choice and free will and JS made a lot of mistakes - just as I do.

Sound like you received a lot of good advice. Congrats on the calling and on coming back. I'm sure you will measure a difference in your life. I'm sure the bishop was prompted to tell you what he did but being all too human, it didn't sound like it came out well. It was probably good to know and I think you handled it well. I love the Primary program. There is a good spirit there. It will isolate you from the general goings-on in the ward, however. Being as you are just re-activation, that may be a good thing. You will have to seek out participation in activities, if you want to partake of the social side of the ward. Relief Society can tend to forget about the sisters down the hall.

After more than a few years in leadership and mission work, I saw a lot of people who claim the letters are ignored. It may be because they didn't have the specifics as stated above. The statements are important. It could also be the Bishop isn't effective. There was a letter format found searching the Internet that had all the specifics. In short, write the letter to the Bishop, that is the "requirement". I'd follow up with a phone call. Don't be concened about perception or being lectured. A good Bishop won't require any more than the letter. They deal with this all the time. Personnally, I'm sorry to hear it. I know inactive members feel harrassed by visits when having requested no visitors. Leadership is always changing and people don't remember who the "no contact" members are. Some leaders refuse to respect privacy. They all have a story about the inactive member that was "saved". I wish you the best and welcome you to come back and be re-baptised when you are ready. :)

You may be having a problem repenting because you haven't committed a sin. Ahh..everyone will take exception to my statement...ahh. You are sweating the small stuff. Your heart appears to be in the right place. You are not swearing because you are rebel hell-bent on fighting society. You're just human.

There are very few permanent decisions made in life. Most things are temporary. Be patient. As I posted on the other thread opened today, now is the time to be a patient missionary. Set and example and be happy in the Gospel.

Ending the marriage won't solve the issue and will create 100 more. I don't wish to sound trite, but don't want to write a dissertation either. What you are facing is better than most member/non-member marriages. At least your husband understands your faith. Now is the time to be the patient missionary. Set the example. Find happiness in the Gospel. Be sure you are not ignoring his needs, when being 'consumed' in the Church. That is so easy to do. In other words, you need to be sensitive to doing non-church things to accomodate him; again, like other member/non-member marriages.

The fact you are posing the question and torturing youself over the incident says you haven't forgiven yourself. Personnally, opening up to your bishop or wife will only exacerbate the issue. Some things (forgiven sins) you should let go, and if you can't let them go, take them to your grave. Now, if you were to do it again...differnet story. As your wife, I'd castrate you. :)

Anatess is saying it isn't productive to insinuate someone be healed physically, as if homosexuality is medical condition. She is right to say it requires a spriritual change to take advantange of the Saviour's atonement. How the heck do you disagree with that?!?

Please be careful to not perceive non-accpeptance as persection on the part of LDS members or the Church. A double negative there, but the point being, the Church does define the ACT of homosexualtiy as 'sin', and would put you on the fringe socially, as I explained earlier. This should not be perceived as persecution. I associate with gays and lesbians, but I have no say in your standing in the Church. A friend of mine was (temple) married for 16 years when her husband had a homosexual affair and they divoriced. He decided he didn't want to lose his family AND his church standing and he worked to regain his membership. He is still gay - with no partner - but is in good standing at church and he still has his friends.

Maybe there is a more polite term than "brainwashing", but that is exactly what it is and what it is intended to be. I'm not offended by it. I understand it. I accept it. The entire point of having an endowment session is to ingrain the covenents in your memory. Train as a vail worker and understand why there has to be that exactness.

I commented on your Welcome post and won't try and digest the long post here. I love Anatess. She is always on the mark as far as I am concerned. Ditto her. I do think it interesting you recognize the failability of man but don't forgive the priest who offended your grandmother (you). The Catholic church is huge and has issues with leaders trying to envoke their own belief - hence a cardinal was just demoted by the Pope. Spend ten minutes searching out the "bad" of the LDS faith and you may never look back. Yet I am a 30 year convert member, happy as can be in my faith. Last comment, Arizona and Utah Mormons (some Californian) have a unique culture. You'll find a different level of acceptance out in the "mission field", where many more Mormons live.

You are not alone. I felt much the same way. I wasn't headed on a mission but was getting married the next day. Fortunately, my future husband felt the same way and we worked on it together. Your parents will understand. Your Bishop will understand. If they don't, they aren't inline with others I have heard. One thing that might help, and others may say it, is go back to the temple. Eventhough it might seem like it is brainwashing you (and it is), it is where you will get the inspiration about WHY the rites are important. Don't be afraid to talk to others. You may find people like me. Honestly, I would still go on the mission. There is so much there to learn. There is so much more to that service than just converting others. It is the Spirit that will convert others. Your job is just to teach. If I were your parent (and I am a parent), I would also support you not going. Life is long. You don't have to take this all in at once. Message me if you want a private conversation.

If it isn't part of your "faith", you won't participate (i.e. you are not required to participate). I doubt your concerns are observing others. I am more in-line with Anatess' comments. Fact is, in life, we have filters; lots and lots of filters. It will be great when we can see the plan clearly. Until then, I'm not going to sweat what I don't understand.

Not weird, but unfortunately a tiny bit extreme. To answer your question, it is not a "rule". Maybe the "swimsuit" model is better than "garment" model. You have to have some intimancy or you aren't likely to progress to marriage. I wouldn't marry if I there were no spark. If you get your endowments, you'll understand it a bit more.

I believe this is specific to the Church Education System. It is run just as a corporation, or division of the Church corporation. One of my friends just retired from CES, pension and all.

I'm so sorry for you loss. I'm glad the Gospel gives us a vision of renuiting with our loved ones. My you have happy memories of the past and thoughts for the future.

Welcome. I appreciate any person exploring faith. You will find acceptance by many Mormons, but you may also perceive a lot of conflict when trying to reconcile us with other faiths. For instance, the statement of knowing God loves you regardless of sin. Yes, He does. That is part of our faith. However, "sin" separates you from God/Spirit. To take this further, if YOU perceive your homosexuality as sin, then you will not find acceptance in the Church so long as you willing practice "sin". If you feel you are same-sex-attracted because of genetic disposition and unable to reconcile a hetro lifestyle, you will find acceptance. There is little tolerance for those who simply want to "explore" sexually or have an agenda of seeking acceptance for a free "lifestyle". There is little cultural acceptance in the Church for anyone willing sinning. It doesn't matter what the sin is. For instance, members perceive adultery, drinking, smoking, and porn as sin. Willing participating in those sins will NOT keep you from participating in meetings and classes, but it will keep you from holding a calling or going to the temple. In our Mormon culture, we hold callings and we strive to be worthy for the temple. People not worthy to participate are still loved and welcomed, but in the perceptions of culture, they are on the fringe. Mormons bind culturally by our participation in callings. We bind by serving each other. I don't want to make this a rant. I hope to set some expectation for you as to what you will encounter if you make your sexual orentation the focus of your exploration of the Church. You setting your username as you did tells us that is what is most important about you. I hope you will expore other aspects of your faith and relationship with God, while hanging out with us. Bless you.

Hey 2RM, I have seen many, many intellectuals such as yourself "investigate" the Church. You are welcome here, of course, but my experience is intellectuals are never satified in regards to religious thought. You will always be looking for more, doubting, and challenging. Myself, I don't "examine" faith, I live it. If you want to know what Mormons do and think, come participate. You won't be disappointed.

Absolutely. It is for younger readers (it isn't Gerald Lund or John Grisham), but I found the characters and setting interesting. It makes you think about what life is supposed to be after this life. Spoiler alert, streets aren't paved with gold. No Zombies, no graphic violence.

I read a fiction book called Wind of Fire where the Church hosts a world conference and the lead topic is Families. It ushered in the Millennium and the end of life as we know it. :) Based on writings from Bruce R McConkie. I enjoyed the book; found it on Amazon.

Why is there an assumption that people with lesser means are somehow unhappy or feel cheated. I've travelled all over the world and been to both rich and poor nations and neighborhoods. The happiest people are the poor. The most miserable are the rich. I wouldn't say "comfortable" is a state of mind, but it is "relative". You have having conflict because you are comparing two extremes. The answer is in the middle.

Do not be concerned that the precept isn't understood in this life (i.e. what about nuns and priests). There will be a time that all will have the opportunity to understand the precept. I don't think one can really understand it until they are in a working relationship they can envision as eternal. Those in bad, or immature, relationships may not have grasped that it can be enternal. Having children too may move one closer to understand the eternal nature of families. Meanwhile, take your time in finding someone you can work with toward an enternal relationship.

Life on Earth wasn't meant to be life in Heaven. The intent of our Earthly life is to deal with all things good and bad. I liked the comment earlier that all things are made by the creator - I would say, there is nothing "man-made". It cannot be created physically without first being created spirtually.